Device and method for food management

ABSTRACT

A medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes an RFID reader for receiving information from at least one RFID transponder. The medical device also includes a memory for storing a database and at least one processor for processing information. Also, a remote controller for a medical device is disclosed. The remote controller includes an information receiver for receiving information related to food. The infusion device also includes a memory for storing a database and at least one processor for processing information. A method for use in a medical device is also disclosed. The method includes receiving information from an RFID transponder related to food. Also, the processing the information by comparing the information to a database is included in the method. The method also includes determining the acceptability of the food and providing information related to acceptability to the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/778,593, filed Jan. 31, 2020, and entitledDevice and Method for Food Management, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,069,438,issued Jul. 20, 2021, which is a Continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/137,097, filed Sep. 20, 2018, and entitledDevice and Method for Food Management, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,553,310,issued Feb. 4, 2020, which is a Continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/469,859, filed Mar. 27, 2017, and entitledDevice and Method for Food Management, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,083,280,issued Sep. 25, 2018 which is a Continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/299,330, filed Jun. 9, 2014 and entitled Deviceand Method for Food Management, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,604,001, issued Mar.28, 2017, which is a Continuation application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/657,094, filed Oct. 22, 2012 and entitled Device and Methodfor Food Management, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,749,389, issued Jun. 10, 2014,which is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/210,011, filed Aug. 15, 2011 and entitled Device and Method for FoodManagement, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,294,581, issued Oct. 23, 2012, which isa continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/014,382, filed Jan. 15, 2008 and entitled Device and Method for FoodManagement, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,999,674, issued Aug. 16, 2011, whichclaims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/880,577,filed Jan. 15, 2007 and entitled Apparatus, System and Method for FoodManagement, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to food management and more particularly,to a device and method for food management.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Various people work to manage food everyday. Accordingly, there is aneed for a device and method for food management.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a medical deviceis disclosed. The medical device includes an RFID reader for receivinginformation from at least one RFID transponder. The medical device alsoincludes a memory for storing a database and at least one processor forprocessing information.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention include one or more ofthe following. In some embodiments, the medical device is an infusiondevice. In some embodiments, the medical device is a remote controllerfor a medical device. In some embodiments, the medical device is aglucose monitoring device. In some embodiments, the database includesuser profile information. In some embodiments, the database includesinformation relating to food. In some embodiments, the database is alearning database. In some embodiments, the device also includes adisplay for displaying at least a portion of the information.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a remotecontroller for a medical device is disclosed. The remote controllerincludes an information receiver for receiving information related tofood. The infusion device also includes a memory for storing a databaseand at least one processor for processing information.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention include one or more ofthe following. Some embodiments include where the information receiveris an RFID reader. Some embodiments include where the informationreceiver is a bar code reader. Some embodiments include where theinformation is a unique alphanumeric code communicated to the deviceusing a manual input device. Some embodiments include where the manualinput device includes a capacitance slider. Some embodiments includewhere the manual input device includes at least one button.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for usein a medical device is disclosed. The method includes receivinginformation from an RFID transponder related to food. Also, processingthe information by comparing the information to a database. The methodalso includes determining the acceptability of the food and providinginformation related to acceptability to the user.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention include one or more ofthe following. In some embodiments, the method also includes where theprocessing further includes comparing the information to a food item anduser profile database. Some embodiments also include where calculating arecommended amount of said food for user to ingest based on at least oneblood glucose value. Some embodiments include inputting an estimate ofthe amount of the food item to be ingested by the body of the user andcalculating an estimated bolus amount of insulin required by the body ofthe user based upon at least one blood glucose value. Some embodimentsof the method include inputting at least one blood glucose value andcalculating a recommended amount of the food item for user to ingestbased at least upon the at least one blood glucose value. Someembodiments of the method include inputting an estimate of amount of thefood item to be ingested by the body of the user and calculating totalcaloric intake by the user based on a sum of the inputs during a periodof time.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and otherfeatures, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read inconjunction with the appended claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bebetter understood by reading the following detailed description, takentogether with the drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1D are illustrations of various embodiments of the relationshipbetween food items the device;

FIG. 2A shows one embodiment of the device;

FIG. 2B is a top view of one embodiment of the medical device;

FIG. 2C is a front view of one embodiment of the medical device;

FIG. 3 is illustrative view of the communication between an RFID readeron a device and a food item;

FIG. 4A is an illustrative view of various embodiments of communicationbetween a food item and a device;

FIG. 4B is an illustrative view of one embodiment of a medical deviceinteraction with a food item and information provided to the user;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of various embodiments of the device inuse while shopping;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view of another embodiment of the device inuse while shopping;

FIGS. 7A-7C show various embodiments of the bagging apparatus;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view of one embodiment of the devicecommunicating position data for food items to the user;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative view of various embodiments of food item imagerecognition embodiments;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of one embodiment of a unit reader;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of one embodiment of a deviceincorporated onto a card; and

FIG. 12 is an illustrative view of one embodiment of a device beingincorporated into glasses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The device and methods described herein relate to interaction with fooditems, either directly or indirectly, in order to manage the food items.Food items include any prepared food, menu items or individual item oritems that are edible. The device includes an electronic medical devicehaving any one or more of the following: a memory, processor, screen,housing, wireless communication device, a speaker, a vibration motor, apower supply, a speaker, a radio, a camera, software running a userinterface, a housing, an input mechanism, bar code scanner, camera,and/or RFID reader. Medical devices include but are not limited to:glucose meters, continuous glucose monitor handheld device, remotecontrollers for medical devices including infusion devices and/orcontinuous glucose monitors, and infusion devices including insulinpumps. In one embodiment, the medical device is a remote controllerdevice for an infusion pump where the remote controller device includesa glucose meter.

Other electronics devices may be used including but not limited to, aconsumer electronic device. Consumer electronic devices include but arenot limited to any device with the capability to receive information.The medical devices or other electronic devices may receive informationthrough any means including but not limited to an RFID reader, a barcode scanner, manual input using a capacitance slider, pad, touchscreen, button or buttons. The consumer electronics devices include, butare not limited to, a personal data assistant (PDA) either with orwithout internet or email service, a watch, a cell phone.

The electronic devices or medical devices interact with the food itemsin various levels and with various management capabilities. The variousinteractions are described herein separately, however, it should beunderstood that one or more, in any combination, can be performed by thesame electronic or medical device.

In one embodiment, the electronic device or medical device includes adatabase and/or is connected via wireless connection to a database thatincludes nutritional information about the food item. Additionally, theelectronic device or medical device may include a database containinguser profile information. This user profile database may becross-referenced with the food database. Either or both databases may belearned databases. In another embodiment, the electronic device ormedical device processes payment for the food item. In anotherembodiment, the electronic device or medical device alerts or alarmswhen a particular food item is available and/or within a particulardistance from the electronic or medical device. In still anotherembodiment, the electronic or medical device, having access to biometricinformation either stored in the memory of the device or else accessiblethrough wireless communication, suggests a food item or an interactionwith a food item. In another embodiment, the electronic or medicaldevice tracks the interaction with a food item.

There are a number of embodiments for the interaction between the fooditem and the electronic or medical device. Any of the followingembodiments can be used in the devices, or methods, in any combination.

The interaction may be initialized by a signal sent from the food itemto the electronic or medical device, e.g., a RFID transponder within thefood item packaging or on a menu item is read by an RFID reader on thedevice. However, the interaction may be initialized by the electronic ormedical device reading a bar code on the food item. The interaction maybe initialized by a code being entered into the electronic or medicaldevice manually, by a user. Additionally, the interaction may beinitialized by an optical image being taken by the electronic or medicaldevice of the food item. Also, the interaction can be initialized by asignal being sent from a device directly related to the sale of the fooditem, i.e., a vending machine or a store shelf (see smart shelves asdescribed herein).

The electronic or medical device receives the information regarding thefood item and may use this information in any one or more of a number offood management tasks. The tasks will be described separately, however,it should be understood that one or more of these tasks can be done toany one piece of food item information. In one embodiment, all of thesetasks are performed. Additionally, the tasks described herein are meantto be limiting; other tasks will be readily understood to one ofordinary skill in the art. The tasks include informing of nutritionalcontent, tracking food items, suggesting food items, suggesting useraction in response to the ingestion of a food item, calculating caloricintake, calculating recommended amount, calculating bolus amount,signaling food items, purchasing food items, recommending food items,tracking inventory of food items, tracking location of food items,mapping out location of food items, suggesting particular locations tofind the food items, and many other tasks that will be described in moredetail below.

DEVICES. Referring first to FIGS. 1A-1D, the electronic device(“device”) 50 used can be any device as described in more detail above.The device includes, at a minimum, an information input or receiver suchthat the device is able to identify the food item. In FIG. 1A, the fooditem “calls out” to the device, i.e., the food item 52 may contain anRFID transponder and the device 50 may contain an RFID reader. In FIG.1B, the device 50 “calls out” to the food item 52. In this embodiment,the device 50 may include a bar code scanner, a magnetic strip reader ora camera capable of identifying the food item 52. Also, the embodimentshown in FIG. 1B represents where the device 50 receives a manual inputof a code or other that identifies the food item 52.

Referring to FIG. 1C, in this embodiment, the device 50 and food item 52have bidirectional communication. In this embodiment, both the food itemis capable of “calling out” to the device 50 and the device 50 iscapable of “calling out” to or identifying the food item 52.

FIG. 1D represents an embodiment where the device 50 may communicatewith the food item 52, and/or the food item 52 may communicate with thedevice 50, but the device 50 and/or the food item 52 may alsocommunicate with a database and/or processing facility 54. Thus, thedatabase 54 may be within the device 50 itself, or remotely accessiblevia wireless communication between the device 50 and the database and/orprocessing facility 54. The database 54 contains information about thefood item 52 and/or about the user (a “user profile” database). Thedatabase and/or processing facility 54 may also communicate with a fooditem 52, updating the information the food item 52 communicates, e.g.,updating the information contained on the RFID transponder. In someembodiments, the database is a learned database.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the device is anyelectronic device 60, but in the exemplary embodiment, the deviceincludes a display 62, a CPU (not shown), a power supply (not shown), ahousing 64 as well as at least one technological means (not shown) forcommunication with the food item. For example, this technological meansincludes, but is not limited to, a camera, a radio and/or a bar codereader, and/or wireless communication with a database, and/or manualinput of an identification code.

In some embodiments, the device also includes a speaker or a vibrationmotor to signal to the user. Also, in some embodiments, the deviceincludes one or more manual input devices, for example, a capacitanceslider, buttons, keypad, scroll wheel, jog wheel, or any other inputdevice. In still other embodiments, the device includes a GPS device. Insome embodiments, the device includes at least one database. In otherembodiments, the device includes optical character recognition software.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, in this embodiment, the device 60 is a medicaldevice. In one embodiment, the medical device is an infusion device. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the infusion device 60 includes adisplay 62, a housing 64 and manual input elements, a capacitance slider66 and buttons 68. In other embodiments, the device 60 may include onlyone of these manual input elements, but in other embodiments, the device60 includes all shown. As described above, the device 60 additionallyincludes at least one technological means for communication with thefood item. In some embodiments, this technological means is an RFIDreader, however, in other embodiments; the technological means is any ofthose described above.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, in this embodiment, the device 60 is a medicaldevice. In one embodiment, the medical device is a remote controller fora continuous glucose monitor and/or for an infusion device. Thecontroller device 60 includes a display 62 and a housing 64. Thecontroller 60 may also include at least one manual input device 68. Inother embodiment, a slider (as shown in FIG. 2B) may be included. Asdescribed above, the device 60 additionally includes at least onetechnological means for communication with the food item. In someembodiments, this technological means is an RFID reader, however, inother embodiments; the technological means is any of those describedabove.

Also, in one exemplary embodiment, the controller 60 includes a stripglucose reader (i.e., a glucose meter) 70. In one exemplary embodiment,the controller 60 is a remote controller for an infusion device, e.g.,an insulin pump. In one embodiment, the controller 60 is a continuousglucose monitor handheld/controller. In still another embodiment, thecontroller 60 is a both a remote controller for an infusion device and acontroller for a continuous glucose monitor.

The controller 60 embodiment includes the capability of transferringinformation or commands to the medical device (e.g., insulin pump) basedon the food information. For example, the controller 60 may accessinformation related to the food item from a database internal to thecontroller, and the user inputs a desired amount of ingestion. Thecontroller 60 may, using the food item information, calculate the amountof bolus the user should infuse to cover the requested amount of fooditem. This bolus amount can then be remotely sent to the insulin pumpworn by the user and the insulin pump will then infuse that bolus amountof insulin into the user.

Other methods include the user entering a blood glucose reading (i.e.,in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, the user uses the strip reader todetermine the blood glucose, thus, the reading is already in thecontroller 60, or, in the case where the controller 60 is a controllerfor a continuous glucose monitor, again, the controller 60 already hasthe user glucose reading) and the controller 60 recommends a food itemand/or an amount of a food item identified to the controller 60 based onthe food item and blood glucose reading.

Various embodiments are shown in the figures. However, these are notlimiting, as other embodiments containing combinations of the elementsdescribed above will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the electronic or medical device is designed toread an identifying device on the food item or associated with the fooditem, giving identification. Referring to FIG. 3 , in one embodiment,the device 50 receives information from the food item 60 and reads theidentification of the food item. In this embodiment, the device 50includes an RFID reader and the food item 60 includes an RFIDtransponder. The food item information communicated to the device isdescribed in more detail below, however, can be any information,including but not limited to nutritional information, price information,and/or location. In some embodiments, where the device 50 is within acommunicable range from a food item 60, the food item will “call out” tothe device and the device will “wake up” or otherwise signal to the userthat a food item 60 is nearby. Where a food item 60 includes an RFIDtransponder, the radio signal is broadcast continuously. However, adevice 50 may be programmed to wake-up or signal to the user where thefood item 60 within communicable distance is one selected by the user inthe “user profile database”. Thus, the device 50 may be customizable toonly signal to the user where the user is within a pre-selected distanceto pre-selected food items.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, other technological means of the devicerecognizing a food item are shown. The means shown in FIGS. 3-4A are notmeant to be an exhaustive list of means, but are a few embodiments.Included in FIG. 4A are bar codes where the device 50 includes a barcode scanner and can read the bar codes from the food items 60. Opticalrecognition codes where the device 50 includes a reader, and where thedevice 50 includes a camera and the device recognizes the item throughoptical recognition. Any means of identification or transferring thefood item information is available in alternate embodiments.

As described above, the device may be any consumer electronic device ora medical device. Consumer electronic devices include a cell phone, PDA,watch, an iphone, an icart, or a dedicated terminal.

The type of technological means for communication in the device variesdepending upon the desired means for communications. For example, if thedesired communication is through wireless communication, then a radiomay be used. If the desired communication is through bar code, then abar code scanner may be used. If the desired communication is throughoptical recognition, then a camera may be used.

The device housing can be any shape or size desired. The housing can bemade from plastic, aluminum or any other type of material. Additionally,the housing can be shaped to fit within any holding device. The CPU canbe any size desirable size and can include any type of software. Thedevice can also include RAM of any size. As discussed above, in someembodiments, the device includes a feature for manual entry ofinformation. This feature can be a capacitance slider or pad, at leastone button or a keypad, a scroll or jog wheel, etc. In otherembodiments, any feature allowing manual user interaction with thedevice is considered.

FOOD ITEMS. The devices described above are used in a food managementcapacity. However, in some embodiments, the devices include additionalfunctionality other than food management. Also, it will be understoodthat although the functions, methods and systems described herein aredescribed with respect to food management, in other embodiments, thedevices described herein can be used to manage anything, including anytype of consumer product. However, as an exemplary embodiment, use ofthe device, system and methods will be described herein with respect tofood management. Other embodiments will be readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art.

The food item to be managed will either communicate directly with thedevice or indirectly with the device. In either embodiment, informationregarding the food item will be imparted to the device.

As used herein, the term food item includes any edible item, whether inwhole or part, and whether in a natural or artificial state. In someinstances, the food item is entirely or partly artificial, i.e., notnaturally occurring. The food item need not be nutritive, but can benon-nutritive. However, in all the cases, the food item is capable ofingestion by an animal.

Thus the food items includes vitamins, supplements, flavorings,colorings, herbal, prepared, frozen, fresh, raw, dried or powdered fooditems as well as beverages, which include juice, waters, milks, spirits,teas, coffees, carbonated sodas and any other drinkable substance. Othertypes of food items are contemplated including any item, whetherregularly referred to as food or otherwise, capable of ingestion by ananimal including a human.

Information regarding the food item includes nutritional information,serving size information, inventory information, location, pricing orother information, for example, pairing and volumes of food items thatare put together in a beneficial manner, for instance, in a recipe orpairing a cheese or dish with a wine. Additionally, information relatedto recommendation for ingesting is also included in some embodiments.

The food item can be a food item in a vending machine, on a store shelfor in a particular pre-prepared dish, for example, in a restaurant.However, the food item can be any food item in which a consumer iscontemplating buying or ingesting either presently or at a later. Inother embodiments, the food item is not contemplated by the consumer butrather, the device recommends the consumer buy or ingests the food basedon pre-programmed parameters, which will be discussed in greater detailbelow.

It should be understood that the term consumer includes an individualperson, or a company or organization. The food item is not necessarilybeing bought or ingested at the time the device presents information tothe consumer or manages the food. It should be understood that the termfood item means either the physical item itself or the item in nameonly.

SIGNALS. The food item interacts with the device through a signal. Thesignal can be a radio signal, a bar code, an electrical signal, anoptical signal or any form of a manual input that identifies the fooditem to the device. Thus these signals can be, but are not limited to,radio, electronic, optical, manual or bar code.

The signal can be automatic or requiring instigation by either the fooditem or the device. Thus, the signal between the food item and thedevice may be instigated by the food item when the device comes within apredetermined distance of the food item. In another example, the devicemay request the information regarding a food item.

The signal may include any amount of information. Information includes,but is not limited to, an indication that the food item is withinproximity, nutritional information, ingredients information, pricinginformation, recommendation information, acceptability, or that the fooditem exists.

The signal may include the entirety of the information of the food itemto the device, or in other embodiments, the signal relates to an entryin a database. In this embodiment, the signal will trigger informationfrom a database to be sent to the device. In some embodiments, theinformation sent is all of the information the database has on the fooditem. In other embodiments, the information sent is only a part of theinformation. The part sent is dependent on parameters entered into thedevice or the database and is based on the user desires (e.g., part ofthe “user profile”). For example, in some embodiments, the user may onlydesire information that the food item exists. In other embodiments, theuser desires knowledge of the number of the food items existing in aparticular location. In other embodiments, the user desires pricinginformation only. In other embodiments, the user desires carbohydrateinformation of the food item. In other embodiments, the user desiresknowledge of the presence of a particular ingredient in the food item.In other embodiments, the user desires information of whether the fooditem is included in their pre-programmed diet management program and/orwhether the food item conflicts with a diet management program orinteracts with a drug the user is taking. All of these embodiments canfound in certain embodiments in any combination, and still, otherembodiments regarding the particular information on the device arecontemplated. These embodiments are discussed in further detail below.Still other embodiments are contemplated that will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the signal may be manually entered into the device.In this case, the manual entry triggering identification of the fooditem can vary from a UPC code to any alphanumeric, purely alpha orpurely numeric code in any length varying from 1 to any number ofsignificant figures. The entry may include a system designedspecifically for a particular brand of food, or for a particular type ofdietary management. The combination to be entered into the device may belocated on the food item itself, or may be available as a look-up tableon the device. In other embodiments, the entry may be anything that ispre-assigned and determinable by a user.

In one embodiment, the user manually enters a 3 digit alpha numeric codelocated on the food item, followed by the number of serving sizes. Thenumber of serving sizes can either be the number in the food item theyare purchasing, or the number in the food item they are planning oneating. In any case, the 3 digit alphanumeric code will present the userwith food item the pre-determined food item information, including, insome embodiments, recommended serving size. In alternate embodiments,the code is a 2-digit code, or a 2 digit alphanumeric code. In someembodiments, the code is a product or brand specific code. In stillother embodiments, the code is located on the product itself, or is alook up in a database.

INFORMATION. As described above, the information regarding the fooditems varies with the embodiments. The information can be anyinformation a user desires with respect to the food item. Theinformation communicated in response to the signal is pre-determined,i.e., based on user parameters or other parameters, for example, aparticular company, store or organizations parameters.

As described above, the information may vary anywhere from an indicationof the presence of the food item, to detailed information regarding thefood item or anything related to the food item. In the embodiments whereonly the presence of the food item is indicated in the signal, thedevice may alarm (audio or vibration), wake-up, light up, or otherwiseindicate through the UI or visual, audio or other signal the presence ofthe food item. In other embodiments, the presence of the food item iseither solely or additionally, indicated through a light, alarm orother, indication on a store shelf, vending machine or other locationwhere a food item can be displayed or through any means where a fooditem can be sold (i.e., on a menu or other).

However, in those embodiments, either in addition to the signal that thefood item is present or on its own, additional information iscommunicated. It is these embodiments that will be described in moredetail below. Again, these embodiments may be in additional to thesignal of the presence of the food item or in lieu of same.

The information itself is either stored in a database or communicateddirectly through the signal. Thus, in the embodiment where the signal issent via RFID, or radio communication, the signal may include a code oridentification of the food item which is then used to pull-up, look-upor otherwise, information in a database related to that food item, or,in alternate embodiments, the food item information is directlycommunicated in the RFID or radio signal.

THE DATABASE. The database may be located anywhere in which the devicecan access the information contained on the database. In one embodiment,the database may be located on the device. In other embodiments thedatabase may be located on a network, either the internet or an areanetwork. In the embodiments where the database may be located remotely,the database may be accessed via a wireless signal. In some embodiments,although the database may be stored on the device itself, the databasemay be updated via wireless or wired connected to the databaseelsewhere, thus, additional information may be accessed when requestedor updated automatically.

Thus, the device may retrieve the food item information either byaccessing it through a wireless connection or by retrieving theinformation from its internal RAM. The RAM is either part of the CPU, oraddition RAM is added separately.

The database may contain information related to the food item for use infood item management. The information includes, but is not limited to,that related to nutritional or ingredient information, price, locationof items, etc., described in more detail above. However, the informationmay also include information that is user specific or demographicspecific. For example, the database may contain information related tothe preference of the particular food item for those with specific dietrestrictions. These include, but are not limited to, those living withdiabetes, those with high-blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight,specific allergies. Depending on the user, different information will besent to the device for the user to view.

The database may be used to track a user's habits, preferences, intakeor any combination thereof. The database may be used to suggest fooditems in response to a specific inquiry, i.e., based on a user enteredpreference or request. In one embodiment, the database is a learningdatabase.

The database includes information on from 1 food item to every food itempossible on the earth. The database can include any and all possibleinformation related to any one or more particular food item.

Each user of the database is identified in the database and hasparticular preferences recognized by the database. This is referred toas the user profile. The database presents information related to thefood item based on the user profile. The term “user” means an individualuser; a group of users, a company, an organization, a subset or anyother combination or type of predetermined subset.

These user profiles may be predetermined or learned. Thus, in theembodiment where the user is an individual, the user profile isparticular to that user. In the case where the user is an identifiablegroup, the user profile is predetermined by one representing the entiregroup.

Thus the device, together with the database, is used in food management.The device is capable of identifying the food item, and capable ofdetermining specific information regarding that food item eitherinternally (if the device received the information via signaltransmission from the food product itself or in the case where thedevice includes a database containing information for the food items) orindirectly through wireless communication with a database.

USER PROFILE. In addition to the description above, the user profile maybe entered through a central system, for example, a web page. The usermay update their profile or view it at any time using the internet. Insome embodiments, any person may access or create their user profile. Inother embodiments, the user must be part of a private group to access orcreate a profile. The profiles may be accessed by any databaseprogrammed to do so. If the profiles are available on a web server, theprofiles may be accessed anywhere. However, in some embodiments, thedevice itself independently contains or stores the user profile and thedatabase. Thus, in these embodiments, the device may access only oneprofile.

The user profile may include but are not limited to information relatingto medical conditions, including allergies and diseases. Also, the userprofile may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of thefollowing: preferences, goals, and choices for the device to alarm,limit, prevent or recommend, are amongst other user profile options.

The user profile, in some embodiments, additionally may includefinancial information. This can include a budget or an allowance, aswell as an account. The device may be used as an electronic bank wherethe user may transfer funds to a vending machine or a store to purchasefood items. Additionally, because the user profile includes a number ofuser chosen limitations, those limitations may optionally be linked tothe account, preventing actual purchasing of particular food items. Inone embodiment, the financial information in the user's profile iscontrolled by a separate party, for example, a parent or guardian of theuser may control the finance of the user profile. In still otherembodiments, a third person has full control over a user's profile. Thiscan be a parent, guardian or a doctor or other medical professional.

FOOD MANAGEMENT. The combination of the food items, informationregarding the food item and the device allows for food management. Thedevice and information may provide the ability of the user to purchasethe food item, track the purchase of the food item, track the ingestionof the food item and determine information regarding the food item. Theinformation also may provide suggestions of food items to the user ofthe device. The combination of having user preferences and informationrelated to the food item allows for infinite combinations andpossibilities for food management, all which will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary embodiments of the use of thesystem are described below.

MULTIPLE DEVICE FUNCTIONS. In some embodiments, as mentioned above, thedevice includes other functions. For example, the device may be a cellphone, a medical device, a PDA, an iPOD, MP3 player or any otherelectronic device. In the case when the device includes additionalfunctions in addition to food management, the device may eitherintegrate the food management function with the additional functions, orelse include the food management function as an optional function.

MEDICAL DEVICE CONTROLLER EXAMPLE. In one embodiment, the device is amedical device controller, as shown in FIG. 2C. Although the exampledescribed below relates to the device being a medical device controller,in alternate embodiments, these same functionalities may be embodiedonto an infusion device or insulin pump. In these embodiments, the bloodglucose reading is either manually entered by the user, automaticallyupdated based on a continuous glucose monitor or blood glucose readingtaken by a glucose meter and automatically transferred to the insulinpump.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, the food management system, in one embodiment,is integrated with the controller's other medical functionality. Thus,where the controller is a remote controller for an infusion device,e.g., insulin pump, the insulin controller includes, as part of itsfunction, a tracking system of the amount of insulin on board, (“IOB”)which is the amount of insulin in the user's body at any given time.Using this information, as well as the information relating to the mostrecent blood glucose reading of the user and the user's specific insulinsensitivity information, the controller may calculate a recommendedinsulin dose for the particular user once the user enters the intendedintake of nutrition. However, in other embodiments of the controller,the controller tracks blood glucose and/or provides a glucose meter, andadditionally aids a person in selecting appropriate food items andserving sizes based on blood glucose and caloric intake (but not insulininformation).

The present system is integrated into the nutrition intake information.Thus, the device receives a signal relating to the food item that isgoing to be ingested by the user. The signal is generated through anymeans described above in the various embodiments. The controller thenrecognizes the food item and may access information relating tonutrition of that food item. Using that information, a calculator maydetermine the amount of insulin (bolus) needed.

In one embodiment, once the food item is received/recognized by thecontroller, additional information relating to the amount of the fooditem planned to be ingested will be requested from the user. In otherembodiments, this information will only be requested where the food itemincludes greater than 1 serving size. In still other embodiments, theinformation will only be requested if the food item is generally notintended to be consumed by one person at one given meal or snack time.

In some embodiments, once the food item is received/recognized by thecontroller, along with the user's blood glucose reading, the user mayrequest the controller to “suggest a serving size”. This function willassist the user in determining the amount of any food item the user mayingest. In some embodiments, this determination is based solely on theblood glucose reading. In other embodiments, this determination is basedon the blood glucose reading together with trend data for blood glucosereadings. Additional factors the controller may take into considerationare accumulated caloric intake, exercise information and/or illnessinformation. In some embodiments, the controller may additional requesta body temperature reading or other additional information beforecalculating and recommending food items or quantities of food items.

In the various embodiments, these options may either be user optionsthat are pre-set by the user, or can be pre-set and require the user toturn them off. In still other embodiments, the user preferences mayinclude food items where the user requests the controller not to ask theserving size, and those food items where the user wishes the controllerto prompt the user to enter the serving size (i.e., where the servingsize is required).

The term “serving size” may mean the actual serving size determined by afood item producer, by a nutritional standard, or a recipe, or can referto an entry of the weight, size or number of items a user intends toingest. The database uses this serving size information to calculate theinsulin dose recommended and/or, to track the user's food intake.

In some embodiments, the food management is performed by an insulin pumpand controller system, where there is also continuous glucose monitordata collected by the controller (and/or pump) at intervals.

In some embodiments, the food management system utilizes a glucose meteras the device, and the user either enters the insulin they intake, or,in the case where the diabetic using the glucose meter is not also usinginsulin, information relating to other drug intake is entered. In someembodiments, functionality that is described above with respect to theinsulin pump and/or controller is also imparted to a stand-alone glucosemeter.

Additional functionality in the various embodiments of the insulin pump,insulin pump and controller, insulin pump and controller and glucosemonitor, insulin pump and controller and glucose meter, or stand-aloneglucose meter, include recommendation and limitation functionality. Forexample, the device, upon recognition of the food item, may determinethe food item is either “acceptable” or “not-acceptable” for the user atthat time (or anytime, depending on the user profile). Thisacceptability factor may be determined based on blood glucose readings,accumulated caloric intake, or both.

In addition to tracking food ingested by the user, in this embodiment,the food management system may additionally provide recommendations offood to be ingested or limit food intake. These recommendations arebased on user preferences which are entered into the user profile. Inthis way, the profile may include recommended snacks, quantities or fooditems in response to particular blood glucose readings. Additionally,recommendations based on time of day or planned exercise may be made.Also, limitations based on the same profile may include limiting caloricintake to a maximum per day or per time period, limitations of certainfoods, and making recommendations not to ingest food when the user has aparticular range of blood glucose readings.

For example, the device may either receive a manual input of a glucosereading or receive it automatically. With respect to receiving the dataautomatically, this occurs where the device is implemented in an insulinpump remote controller with a glucose meter built in, or in the case ofa controller that doubles as a continuous glucose monitor controllerreceiving regular readings from an injected glucose sensor (or,alternatively, on an insulin pump itself receiving either transmittedglucose readings either from an continuous glucose monitor or from aglucose meter, or otherwise manually entered). Readings may be in mg/dlor mmol/L. Where the reading indicates a low glucose reading, a messagemay appear to the user saying, for example, “eat a snack”, or “do youwant a snack?”. The exact wording of the message may vary. Following aresponse from the user, the display may include a recommended snack, forexample. “3 oz of orange juice”. These messages may be pre-programmed bythe user with their preferences. These comments may also be audio, audioand visual, and/or accompanied by a light or vibration or other alarmindication.

These comments may be accessed by someone other than the user as well.For example, if a diabetic looks unwell, a friend, family member orotherwise third party may view the device and see the message “do youwant a snack?”, select “yes” and the device will list to the third partya suggested snack or a number of options for a snack. Additionally, thedevice could include instructions to the third party of what to look forand how to help the diabetic.

Other embodiments include, upon the request of the user, arecommendation for a meal or a snack if the user is hungry. The user mayselect from a menu “I want a snack”, or “I want lunch”, or simply “I amhungry”. In response, the device, knowing the user's medication intakeand blood glucose level, as well as the time of day, can recommend atype of snack or a type of meal. Additionally, the device may recommenda list of options. For example, if the user's blood glucose level iswithin an acceptable range, when the user requests “I want a snack”, thedevice may list a number of food options that will not affect the bloodglucose level negatively. For example, a sugar free gelatin product,sugar free ice-pop, club soda, or other non-nutritive food items thatmay satisfy the user's craving without negatively impacting their bloodglucose levels.

Additionally, where the device includes an RFID reader, the device maydirect the user to a snack option in which the RFID reader has locatedbased on an RFID transponder signal.

Also, if the user desires a snack, and the blood glucose readingsindicate a range where it would be preferable for the user to eat asnack, the device may indicate a list of suggested snacks that the userhad entered into the profile to be eaten when their blood glucosereadings were within a particular range. Other options may be that theuser may select “salty snack”, or “crunchy snack”, and the device maysuggest preferable foods depending on the profile and blood glucosereading.

NEW DATABASES AND PROFILES. In one embodiment, the device may downloadcategory specific databases and profiles. For example, a user maydownload a specific database or register their device to receive accessto a specific database. These specific databases may be diet specificdatabases, brand specific databases, goal specific databases or interestspecific databases.

In some embodiments the databases are learning databases. Thus, thedatabase learns a particular user's preferences and makesrecommendations based on those preferences, or assists the user withmaking lists or planning based on past user preferences.

SMART VENDING MACHINES. One embodiment of the system is implemented witha vending machine capable of communicating with the device. The vendingmachine communicates the food items present. This communication is doneusing a transponder, or any signaling means discussed above. In someembodiment, the vending machine transmits the nutritional information,however, in other embodiments; the device references the database fornutritional information.

In some embodiments, the food items each include a transponder or RFID,and signal to the device. Thus, the RFID transponder is in the food itempackaging in this embodiment.

In some embodiments, the device may be used to browse through theavailable products in the vending machine, and the user may view thenutritional information and price. The user may also receiverecommendations from the device based on their user profile. Theserecommendations include those based on the food items ingested for theday, time of day and blood glucose readings, caloric or monetaryallowance remaining, activity levels, etc. In some embodiments, the usermay purchase the item in the vending machine using the device and theelectronic account. In other embodiments, the user purchases a food itembased on recommendations from the device, but manually purchases theitem.

In some embodiments where third parties have put locks on the device,this device will only be able to purchase particular food items from thevending machine. Additionally, the device may track the calories andother nutritional information of the food items ingested throughelectronic purchase of the food items.

In some embodiments, as the vending machine is loaded, each slot isreprogrammed with the bar codes of the product, or through RFIDtransponders on the slots only (i.e., in this embodiments, the productpackages themselves do not necessarily contain an RFID transponder,however, the slot where the products are loaded do contain an RFIDtransponder). The device recognizes the vending machine and knows theproducts located in each slot based on a database update. In this way,each vending machine may be loaded differently, thus, standardization isnot required.

In addition, the device may communicate with an online database whichmay include up-to-date information regarding, for example, the locationand contents of vending machines. Thus, as user may use the device tosearch for a particular food item, or for any recommended food itemswithin a certain desired proximity of the location of the device.

In some embodiments, when the device is within a particular proximity toa vending machine, the vending machine may signal to the device and thedevice may alarm or otherwise indicate same to the user, either audioand/or vibration and/or visual and, in some embodiments, this indicationmay additionally contain a displayed ad or other message on the UI tosignal to the user.

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND USER REWARDS. In some embodiments, incentiveprograms and user reward programs may be linked to the database and thebuying patterns of the user. Thus, in these embodiments, the userprofile may contain the user's preferences as well as buying and eatinghabits. The incentive program may electronically send messages or ads tothe device to entice the user to desire the food item. These messagesmay be sent, for example, when the device is within a predeterminedproximity to the food item, when the user indicates hunger or when theuser is in a particular store, or at any time desired. Additionally, insome embodiments, particular brands or stores may have reward programsthat track the number of brand or items purchased from a store orvending machine, and reward the consumer with coupons or electronicfunds in their profile account for purchasing a particular number offood items.

SMART CART. One embodiment of the system is shown in FIG. 5 . The device500 is located on a shopping cart 504 or a shopping basket. In oneembodiment, shown as “C” the shopping cart 504 or shopping basketincludes a holster 502 allowing the consumer to arrive to a store andeasily attach their device 500 to the shopping cart 504 or basket. Inanother embodiment, shown as “B” the user's device already has a holsterthat can attach to a shopping cart or basket and the user attaches theholster and device to the shopping cart or basket.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6 the device (not shown) is alreadyattached to the shopping cart or basket (not shown). Using anotherembodiment of the device 600, here is shown as a key fob, however, inother embodiments, can be any device, the user identifies themselves tothe device on the shopping cart or basket and the device recognizes theuser and their profile. As shown in FIG. 6 , this embodiment may be usedsuch that the device on the cart may include a display and the consumeruses the device as they shop, however, upon check-out, the user's device600 connects to the network and payment is made using the device 600

Referring again to FIG. 5 , as the user passes food items within thestore, the device may signal to the user either visually, audibly and/orby vibrating the device or the handle to the basket or shopping cart,that an item is within close proximity that may interest the user.

The items that will instigate this alarm will be those items in whichthe device recognizes as either user profile preferences, part of a usermade list (described below) or items that the database recommends basedon the user profile.

In one embodiment, the user may, upon entering the store and instigatingthe device, elect certain alarms or indications linked to store specialsor preference items, or linked to a particular brand or genre (forexample, organic, ethnic, or a company brand). In other embodiments,these are not options available to the user, but rather, pre-programmedin the device that is installed on the shopping cart or basket.

SHOPPING CART. Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C various embodiments of aself-bagging shopping cart are shown. In one embodiment, theself-bagging apparatus is separate from the shopping cart. However, inother embodiments, the self-bagging apparatus is part of the shoppingcart. Referring to FIG. 7A, an expandable embodiment of a baggingapparatus is shown 702, as well as a non-expandable embodiment 704. Bothembodiments of the bagging apparatus 702, 704 include bag handles 706,708 to hold the shopping bags. Referring to FIG. 7B, the baggingapparatus 704 is shown in a shopping cart 710.

Referring now to FIG. 7C, an alternate embodiment of the baggingapparatus is shown. In this embodiment, the bagging apparatus 712accommodates a stack of bags. As the user requires another bag, the userpulls the next one from the stack. The bagging apparatus 712 is sizedsuch that it hangs onto a standard shopping cart. In some embodiments,the bagging apparatus 712 may be permanently attached to the shoppingcart, however, in other embodiments, the bagging apparatus is removable.

In all of the bagging apparatus shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the apparatus maybe made from plastic, metal or wood, and is sized/dimensioned for aparticular shopping cart. Thus, depending on the size and shape of theshopping cart, the apparatus will be sized accordingly.

The self-bagging apparatus accommodates shopping bags. When the usertakes an item off a store shelf or display, the user can directly placethe item in the shopping bags themselves.

SPEEDSHOPPER. One embodiment of the system is a speed-shopping system.The speed-shopping system is managed by the user profile. In the userprofile, the user may make and save shopping lists. The system maysuggest stores based on time of day desired, items desired, crowds,expected total shopping time. The user may select a store and theprofile may additionally provide the user with a trip tick/map to thestore which may include a suggested itinerary for more efficientshopping or to maintain cold items, etc. Additionally, in someembodiments, the device includes a GPS system. In this embodiment, thedevice may display a map of the store with locations of the items on theuser's shopping list. Referring to FIG. 8 , an illustration of thisembodiment is shown.

Other embodiments include a vibrating shopping cart handle that mayvibrate when the user comes within a predetermined proximity to an itemon the shopping list. Other embodiments include an audio alarm and stillother embodiments include a combination audio, vibrate and/orcombination of visual and any other type of indication to the user.

In one embodiment, the speed-shopping system includes purchasing thefood items or other products using the device. In still otherembodiments, the device on the cart may track the addition of items intothe shopping cart (either by user indication, scan, RFID transponderindication, or other) and tally the items. When the cart moves past aparticular point in the store, for example, within 3 feet of the door,the device may charge the user's profile electronic account the total ofthe food items or other items that have been placed in the cart. In someembodiments, the user bags the items using an embodiment of the abovedescribed self-bagging apparatus (shown in FIGS. 7A-7C).

SMART SHELVES. Another embodiment includes a smart shelf system. In oneembodiment, the shelves may include a means for signaling the device.The means can include, but is not limited to, one or more of thefollowing: an electronic display on the store shelf, a light, an RFID orother transponder. The shelf is used to signal to the device. However,in other embodiments, the transponder is located within the packaging ofthe food item. In the smart shelf embodiment, one transponder is locatedon the shelf. The transponder communicates with the device regarding theproduct located in the particular shelf location.

In some embodiments of the smart shelf, a monitor is included, or theentire shelf is a monitor. The monitor may signal with an audio orvisual alarm or other type of signal. The smart shelf may also track thenumber of products located in a particular shelf location. This may beused to manage inventory or food items. In still other embodiments, asingle transponder for an entire store may be used to monitor theactivity of inventory or food items on the shelves. This may be used bystore management or by a vendor to monitor activity of a particular fooditem or other type of product.

In one embodiment, the smart shopping system includes carts as describedabove with devices on the carts, as well as smart shelves, self baggingand auto-charging. However, in other embodiments, only one or anycombination of these embodiments are included in the system.

In one embodiment, the devices on the shopping cart, linked to anetwork, may track users' rate of shopping based on the shopping list inthe user profiles. In this way, a store may track the progress of anyshopping, can re-route shoppers in real-time by changing the trip tickand direction on the map, may also be used to direct the users to acheck out counter to prevent long lines.

In one embodiment, the shopping cart includes an electronic display thatmay play commercials or educate the consumer regarding nutrition orspecials in the store.

In one embodiment, once the user enters the store, based on the usersshopping list, the device sends the deli, butcher, baker, florist,prescription, or any other customized order available in the store,electronically to the particular service area. Thus, the orders areplaced and timed so that the items will be ready when the device directsthe user to the area for the pick-up.

In some embodiments, the RFID transponder is on the food items. In someembodiments, the RFID transponder is on shelves. In some embodiments,the device reads bar codes on the food item with a camera. In otherembodiments, the device reads the bar code with a bar code scanner. Insome embodiments, the device contains a camera which physicallyrecognizes product. Some embodiments include a web portal, where theuser sets up ID, all rules and databases customized via web portal whichis then downloadable onto the device. Some of these embodiments includea pay-for service.

INFORMATION AND DATABASES. The food item information is contained in adatabase. As described above, the database is either stored on thedevice and/or updated by an outside/remote database or may be stored ona remote database where the device accesses the remote database for allfood item information. In some embodiments of the store embodiments asdescribed above, a locally accessed database may be available andaccessible to the device while in the store, i.e., in addition to thedevice's stored database, the store itself may “broadcast” a database.In any case, the device may access multiple databases. In someembodiments, the databases are multi-dimensional database. These allowsearching through unstructured data or an expert/learned system. Thesedatabases also allow users to search by any attribute.

In some embodiments, the databases are built by the users, thus, as theuser chooses a food item, the database adds the food item to the user'sdatabase, thus customizing the database through use. This is a learningdatabase.

The communication between the database and the device may include anymethod of transferring information from one device to another. Thisincludes, but is not limited to blue tooth, cellular communication, barcode, and radio.

In some embodiments, the database tracks the food items ingested by aparticular user. The database may suggest food items based on an amountof time since the user ingested a particular item (according to theiruser profile or according to a store or organization broadcast messagein the case of locally broadcast databases) for example, vegetables andfruits. The device may suggest the item either by audio, or visual,including but not limited to, a picture.

The following types of data may be included in the database(s). Variousembodiments may be used alone or in any combination.

Nutritional Data. Nutritional data may be provided by existingdatabases. Additional or updated information for nutritional informationmay be downloaded from the web or purchased or otherwise provided by acompany or organization.

Medical Data. Interaction data exists in a database in one embodiment.This can track allergies and reactive substances and advice user ofsame. Users may update their user profile and based on also, programproducts to be avoided based on medical data.

Third party rules. These can be parent rules, children rules managingelder parents, institutional/assisted living rules, or rules provided bya particular medical treatment group.

Self rules. These include warnings and others that are pre-programmed orotherwise set or selected by the user.

Group Sensitivities. This database information may include knownsensitivities in the medical world. Advocacy groups may also publishsuggested database information that may be downloaded or otherwiseincorporated into a user profile.

Individual Sensitivities and Preferences. These can be ingredient orother based, user may program into the user profile or otherwise intothe database.

Biometrics. These may include blood glucose readings, pulse andrespiratory information and/or blood pressure. In some embodiments, thebiometrics may be real-time.

Although various embodiments of the device and implementation of thefood management methods have been described, additionally, the devicemay be a stand-alone device or a magnetically readable strip on a card,for example, a user's credit card. Referring to FIG. 10 , in a smartshopping embodiment, the user interacts with a unit 1000 on the shelf bysliding their card 1002 into the unit 1000. The unit 1000 reads the cardand may display a message for the user on the unit display 1004.Referring to FIG. 11 , the readable section 1100 may be embodied ontoany type of card 1102.

For various embodiments described herein, RFID may include an EPC Gen2:UPC label replacement. Vending machines may include RF communication.The device may include a GPS and/or internet connection. Stores caninclude WiFi. The device may be included on a pair of glasses (see FIG.12 ), for example, and include a visual on the glasses for the user toview. The signal means may include an RFID, bar code, hex code(proprietary bar code/specialty bar code). Current standard RFID include125 KHz (LF) low frequency-general carrier frequency, speed pass. TheRFID in some embodiment may be long distance 13.56 Mhz. HF—highfrequency, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, 900 MHz-UHF-EPC Gen2 (ElectronicProduct Code). Also, some embodiments include 2.4 GHz-WiFi tags. TheRFID device may include read and write capabilities. Also, the RFID mayinclude a permanent read only area with a unique serial number that cannever be changed. Some of these tags may be set-up to be read-only,write once memory (used as a fuse). In other embodiments, the RFID tagsmay be WORM (“write once ready many”). In some embodiments, a store codecan be imparted onto the product at the manufacturing facility.

In some embodiments, the food item is recognized optically with a camera(see FIG. 9 ). In some embodiments, a camera is on a cell phone 900 orother multi-functional device is used. In one embodiment, a stand-alonecamera 902 may be the device. The optical recognition may be based on apicture of the whole product 904 or a picture of the label. In otherembodiments, optical image recognition of UPC label, bag or productitself is used.

In still other embodiments, the food item identity may be determined bya chart/flip chart/booklet including the food items along with a code.In these embodiment, the user either manually enters this code or thereis a bar code to scan into the device.

Nutritional information may include, but is not limited to, calories,serving size, glycemic index, fat content, cholesterol content,saturated fat content, fiber content, sodium, presence of particularamino acids, percentage daily allowance of vitamins, percentage of dailyallowance of any nutrient, percentage daily allowance of calories, fat,and/or cholesterol, allergy items included in the food item, and knowninteractions with medications.

In some embodiments, the device may give a shock to the user when theuser selects or eats a food item in which they chose to setup a ruleagainst eating or purchasing. In other embodiments, the device maysuggest a wine pairing based on criteria to complement a food item orfood items or recipe. In some embodiments, recipes are available on thedatabase and automatically include items in the shopping list on theuser profile, if desired.

The smart-shelf may be implemented using IR or RF or any wirelessprotocol known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The shelf mayinclude an LCD display. The shelf may be designed as a low voltagesystem for low power requirements. In some embodiments, the shelf may beimplemented with a 2 way radio (or IR communication), memory, andsoftware, indicator, power source (solar powered) or connected to apower source, may include an LCD, or may include only a LED or light. Insome embodiments, the shelf may be capacitor charged either by solar orelectric source. The shelf may, in some embodiments, include a batteryonboard, and in some embodiment, the battery may be rechargeable.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it isto be understood by those skilled in the art that this description ismade only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope ofthe invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope ofthe present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown anddescribed herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinaryskill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a remote controller for aninsulin pump on a user comprising the steps of: scanning informationcorresponding to a food item; requesting quantity information from theuser on an amount of the food item; receiving quantity information fromthe user on the amount of the food item; accessing a database containingnutritional information of the food item; receiving a blood glucosevalue of the user; calculating an estimated bolus amount of insulinbased on the blood glucose value, the nutritional information of thefood item and the quantity information; indicating to the user theestimated bolus amount of insulin; and sending to the insulin pumpinformation corresponding to the estimated bolus amount of insulin. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein the scanning information includes scanninga bar code on the food item.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein accessingthe database includes remotely accessing the database.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 wherein accessing the database includes accessing the databaseon the remote controller.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving theblood glucose value comprises: providing a remote glucose meter; readingthe blood glucose value of the user with the remote glucose meter; andtransmitting the blood glucose value of the user to the remotecontroller.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:storing the food item and the amount of the food item in the database.7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: determining ifthe food item is acceptable or not-acceptable for the user.
 8. Themethod of claim 7 wherein the acceptable or not acceptable is based onthe blood glucose value of the user.
 9. The method of claim 1 whereinthe database includes interactive data, the method further comprisingthe step of: advising the user of the interaction.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the interaction is a user allergy.
 11. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the interaction is a reactive substance.
 12. The methodof claim 1 wherein the database contains information about the food itemand the user.
 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:transferring a command to the insulin pump based on the foodinformation.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:infusing the estimated bolus amount of insulin to the user with theinsulin pump.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receivingthe blood glucose value of the user further comprises the step of: theuser entering a blood glucose level into the remote controller.